Web treating apparatus

ABSTRACT

Web treating apparatus comprises an elongated tubular core fixedly mounted between supports, the core being closed at one end and having longitudinally extending perforations, the interior of the core constituting a vacuum manifold. A drum of circular cross-section and having a perforated circumferential wall is rotatably mounted coaxially with the core. The drum is adapted to receive a continuous web wrapped about a predetermined arcuate segment of its circumferential wall. High intensity heat generators are spaced radially outwardly of the drum and are disposed above at least a substantial portion of the predetermined arcuate segment. Vacuum exhaust means draw heated air through the web and the drum and into the vacuum manifold, and means disposed within the drum direct the flow of heated air exclusively and substantially uniformly through the portion of the web which is wrapped about the predetermined arcuate segment of the circumferential wall of the drum.

United States Patent [191 Thagard, Jr.

[ 1 Aug. 14, 1973 WEB TREATING APPARATUS [76} Inventor: George F.Thagard, Jr., 10024 Pangbarn, Downey, Calif. 90240 [22] Filed: June 22,1971 [21] Appl. No.: 155,506

[51] Int. Cl. ..L F27b 9/28 [58] Field of'Search 263/3; 34/110, 115,34/122 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,429,338 10/1947Adams 34/122 3,276,140 10/1966 Walser et a1. 34/122 3,340,617 9/1967Carroll, Jr.... 34/115 2,414,580 1/1947 Birdseye 34/122 X 3,412,47411/1968 Fleissner 34/122 Primary Examiner-John J. Camby Attorney- DeanS. Edmonds. S. Leslie Misrock et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Web treating apparatus comprises an elongated tubularcore fixedly mounted between supports, the core being closed at one endand having longitudinally extending perforations, the interior of thecore constituting a vacuum manifold. A drum of circular cross-sectionand having a perforated circumferential wall is rotatably mountedcoaxially with the core. The drum is adapted to receive a continuous webwrapped about a predetermined arcuate segment of its circumferentialwall. High intensity heat generators are spaced radially outwardly ofthe drum and are disposed above at least a substantial portion of thepredetermined arcuate segment. Vacuum exhaust means draw heated airthrough the web and the drum and into the vacuum manifold, and meansdisposed within the drum direct the flow of heated air exclusively andsubstantially uniformly through the portion of the web which is wrappedabout the predetermined arcuate segment of the circumferential wall ofthe drum.

1-2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,639

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 660666 E THAGAED, J8. /03 INVENTOR BM, Am/1, :115, Jan;

Patented Aug. 14, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY Erma,

THAGAED, J5

INVENTOR k 1 Um; Arrae/vys 1 WEB TREATING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for treating continuouswebs and, more particularly, to a novel dryer for efficiently andeconomically removing liquids and /or vapors from web of pulp, paper orfabric.

During the manufacture of paper or other fibrous materials, the web isgenerally saturated with water and/or other chemical agents eitherduring pulping or just prior to the initial screening. Thereafter, theweb immediately passes through a series of operations to remove theseexcess liquids. During such operations, excess liquids are first drainedby gravity, then by vacuum and thereafter by mechanical pressure. Thefinal drying step is conventionally accomplished by passing the websequentially over a series of rolls the circumferential surfaces ofwhich are conductively heated from within, usually by steam. However,previously known dryers or steam cans as they are known in the art haveseveral serious drawbacks, both technological and economic.

Because conventional dryers are notoriously inefficient, a large numberof them, generally five or more, must be employed in series. In theusual configuration which has been adopted to conserve floor space, theseconddryer in the series is disposed above and between the first andthird dryers in a triangular fashion, just as thefourth dryer isdisposed above and between the third and fifth dryers. As the web passesbetween adjacent dryers of such series of conventional dryers, moistureladen air or steam which is necessarily generated by the contact betweenthe moist web and the heated dryer surface accumulates in dead-airspaces between each roll. These entrapped pockets of moist air or steamconstitute a substantial hinderance to uniform and thorough drying ofthe web and for this reason must be dissipated and purged by blowers orother means for generating air currents of sufficient volume and force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION fixedly mounted between the support members.The

interior of the core member constitutes a vacuum manifold and alongitudinally extending portion of the circumferential wall of the coremember is open to permit the entry of air into the manifold. First andsecond annular journals are securedadjacent either end of the coremember and extend radially outwardly from'the outer circumferentialsurface of the core member. A drum of circular cross-section includesfirst and second annular side walls and a perforated circumferentialwall. The drum is mounted on the journals for rotation coaxially withrespect to the core member and is adapted to receive a continuous webabout a first predetermined arcuate segment of its circumferential wall.High intensity heat generating means are spaced radially outwardly ofthe circumferential wall of the drum and are disposed above at least asubstantial portion of the predetermined first arcuate segment. A vacuumexhaust conduit is secured at one end in air-tight relationship to theopen end of the core member and at the other end to a vacuum blower.Means are disposed within the drum for directing the flow of heated airdrawn by the blower exclusively and substantially uniformly through theportion of the web which is wrapped about the first predeterminedarcuate segment of the circumferential wall of the drum.

The present web treating apparatus utilizes radiant and convective heatin combination with forced air circulation through the web as opposed tothe conductive heat employed by the prior art dryers. This uniqueconcept enables the web to be more uniformly and more rapidly heated anddried than has been attainable heretofore. Because a web treated by thepresent apparatus is uniformly drier, its shrink characteristics aregreatly improved. In general, most if not all of the required shrink maybe achieved as the web passes over the drum of the present apparatus;this advantage was not attainable by the use of previously knownequipment. One practical result of the achievement of superior shrinkcharacteristics is the ability to produce increased web widths whichinherently increases the yield.

Aside from the substantial advantages achieved in the production of asuperiorend product, the present web treating apparatus enablessignificant economic savings with respect to cost and maintenance. Thepresent apparatus, as compared to prior drying equipment,

is less cumbersome, smaller in size, less expensive to construct,install and operate, and less complex in operation. It requires lessfloor space and fewer operating personnel. The present apparatus may beemployed either alone or in conjunction with presently used equipment toincrease the net efiiciency of the latter. Moreover, the blower exhaustfrom the present appatatus is ideal for pocket ventilation of the web asit passes through the conventional equipment, thus eliminating the needfor the additional apparatus that would ordinarily be required.

It is specifically contemplated that the apparatus of the presentinvention may include means for saturating, dipping, and/or coating websto induce more complete saturation than is presently attainable and torecover any resultant excess liquids or vapors for reuse or discharge asdesired. In this alternate embodiment, the heat generating means may bedispensed with or not employed if not required during the particularsaturation process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end elevation of the webtreating apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in partial section of the web treatingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the drum of the web treatingapparatus of the present invention taken substantially along Line 3-.-3of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drum of the web heatingapparatus of the present invention taken substantially along Line 44 ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a partial tranverse sectional view of the web treatingapparatus of the present invention taken substantially along Line 5-5 ofFIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to FIGS,1 and 3, web treating I apparatus 10 comprises a frame 11 which includesfirst and second upright support members l2, l4, respectively.

As shown best in FIG. 4, an elongated tubular core member is closed atone end by plate 21 which is bolted to the first upright support member12. The core member 20 is fixedly mounted between the support members12, 14 and the interior of the core member 20 constitutes a vacuummanifold 23. A longitudinally extending portion of the circumferentialwall 24 of the core member 20 is open (at 26, 27) to permit the entry ofair into the manifold 23.

First and second annular journals 30, 31, respectively, are securedadjacent either end of the core member 20 and extend radially outwardlyfrom the circumferential surface 24 of the core member 20. i As shownbest in FIGS. 2 and 4, a drum 40 of circular cross-section includesfirst and second annular side walls 41, 42, respectively, and aperforated circumferential wall 43. Referring particularly to FIG. 2,the circumferential wall 43 comprises a honeycomb construction 44. Inthe present embodiment, the honeycomb cells are about l-h inches indiameter. It is particularly contemplated, however, that the wall 43 maybe a drilled shell or. may be provided with perforations in any othersuitable manner. Moreover, if desired or required by the physicalcharacteristics of the webs to be treated, the circumferential wall 43may be covered additionally with a relatively fine mesh screen 46. Thedrum 40 is mounted at its side walls 41, 42 on the journals 30, 31,respectively, for rotation coaxially with respect to the core member 20.Seals 47, 48, preferably of a polyfluorocarbon plastic material, may beprovided at the bearing surfaces of the respective journals 30, 31 toensure a fluid-tight relationship between the journals 30, 31 and therespective side walls 41, 42 as the drum 40 rotates. The drum 40 isadapted to receive a continuous web 49 wrapped about a firstpredetermined arcuate segment of its circumferential wall 43 as definedby angle A which is illustrated in FIG. 3.

Means for rotating the drum 40 include a drive gear 50 and a tubularadapter 51, the gear 50 and the adapter being disposed concentricallyradially outwardly of the portion of the core member 20 between thesecond juournal 31 and the second support member 14. The adapter 51includes upright flanges 52, 53. Flange 52 is secured to the second andwall 42 of the drum 40 and flange 53 is secured to the drive gear 50.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, high intensity heat generatingmeans 60 are spaced radially outwardly from the circumferential wall 43of the drum 40 and are disposed above at least a substantial portion ofthe first predetermined arcuate segment of the circumferentialwall 43which is defined by angle A. In the present embodiment, the highintensity heat generating means comprise a plurality of spaced-apartgas-fired radiant burners, 610 through 61g, inclusive. Each burnerextends coaxially with the drum 40 along substantially its entire lengthand each burner is mounted at either end on brackets 62,63 which aresecured to the upright support members 12, 14, respectively. Preferably,each burner is adjustably mounted to permit a preselection of the radialdistance between such burner and the circumferential wall 43 of the drum40, and the heat output of each burner is adjustable. In the presentembodiment, each of the burners is capable of generating about 567,000BTU/hr and each burner may be regulated to provide as little as aboutone-fifth of its maximum capacity. Although gas-fired radiant burnersare contemplated in the preferred embodiment, other suitable highintensity heat generating sources'may be employed.

A vacuum exhaust conduit 70 is secured at one end in airtightrelationship to the open end of the core member 20. As shown best inFIGS. 2 and 4, this may be conveniently accomplished by bolting theconduit 70 to the second upright support member 14 coaxially with andabutting the open end of the core member 20. A vacuum blower 71 issecured to the other end of the vacuum exhaust conduit 70. The blower 71provides sufficient suction to draw air and entrapped moisture and/orvapors through and from the web into the vacuum manifold 23. Althoughthe vacuum level within the manifold 23 may be adjusted in a number ofconventional ways such as by varying the speed of the blower 71 or byproviding adjustable openings in the vacuum exhaust conduit 70, themeans for adjusting the vacuum level in the present embodiment comprisesa rotatable damper 72 disposed transversely within the vacuum exhaustconduit 70. The precise vacuum level may be instantly determined byreference to a vacuum guage 74 which is mounted on plate 21.

Means disposed within the drum ensure that the flow of heated air drawnby the blower 71 is directed exclusively and substantially uniformlythrough the portion of the web 49 which is wrapped about the firstpredetermined arcuate segment A of the circumferential wall 43 of thedrum 40. As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, such means include first andsecond baffle plates 80,81 which are secured to the outer surface 24 ofthe core member 20 on either side of the open portion of A the coremember circumferential wall (at 26,27) and which extend longitudinallyalong substantially the entire length of the portion of the core member20 disposed between the journals 30,31. Each baffle plate 80,81 extendsradially outwardly with respect to the core member 20 and is braced bygussets such as 82,83 which are disposed along thelength of each baffleplate 80,81. First and second baffle plate seals, 84,85, respectively,are coextensive with and abut the radially outermost marginal portionsof the respective baffle plates 80,81. Each baffle plate seal 84,85 isadjustable in a radial direction by set screw means 86,87, respectively,to abut firmly the inside surface of the circumferential wall 43 of thedrum 40. Preferably, the baffle plate seals 84,85 are made of apolyfluorocarbon plastic material. The portion of the circumferentialwall defined between the respective seal means 84, and compassingtherebetween the open position (at 26, 27) of the circumferential wall24 of the core member 20 constitutes asecond predetermined arcuatesegment which is defined by angle B. The second segment B is slightlyshorter than and is disposed completely within the first segment A. Inthis manner leakage is prevented and the vacuum is maintainedexclusively on the portion of the web which is wrapped about and in firmsurface-to-surface contact with the circumferential wall 43 of the drum40.

The means for directing the flow of heated air further includes firstand second deckle plates 90,91 which are shown best in FIG. 4. Thedeckle plates 90, 91 are disposed within the drum 40 adjacent andparallel to the respective side walls 41,42. Eack deckle plate 90, 91 istranslatable axially with respect to the core member 20 and the drum 90,or, in other words, longitudinally with respect to the baffle plates 80,81. As shown representatively in FIG. 3, deckle plate 91, which isidentical to deckle plate 90, includes an inner arcuate marginal edge 92which conforms substantially to the outside circumferential surface ofthe core member 20, an outerarcuate marginal edge 93 which conformssubstantially to the inside circumferential surface of the drum 40, andopposite transverse marginal edges 94, 95 which conform substantially tothe surfaces of the baffle plates 80, 81, respectively, which encompasstherebetween the open portion (at 26, 27) of the core member wall 24.First and second deckle plate seals 96, 97, are coextensive with and aresecured to the outer arcuate marginal edges of the respective deckleplates 90, 91, The deckle plate seals 96,97 firmly abut the insidesurface of the circumferential wall 43 of the drum 40. When therespective deckle plates 90, 91 are translated to positions underlyingthe opposite longitudinal marginal edges of the web 46 which is wrappedabout the drum 40, the baffle plates 80, 81 and the deckle plates 90, 91define therebetween a vacuum chamber which conducts the flow of heatedair exclusively through the position of the web 46 which is wrappedabout the first predetermined arcuate segment A of the circumferentialsurface 43 of the drum 40.

Each deckle plate 90, 91 includes first and second internally threadedfittings as shown best in FIG. 4, fitting 100 is associated with deckleplate 90 and fitting 101 is associated with deckle plate 91. In eachinstance, the second fitting of the respective deckle plates is notillustrated. Each fitting such as fittings 100, 101 receive acomplementary internally threaded lead screw. For example, lead screw103 is received within fitting 100 and lead screw 104 is received withinfitting 101. The remaining lead screws 105, 106 are illustrated in crosssection in FIG. 3. Lead screw 105 is associated with deckle plate 91 andlead screw 106 is associated with deckle plate 90. Each lead screw isrotatably mounted at either end in the respective journals 30, 31andcentrally on a screw shaft support 107 or 108 which is secured to thecircumferential wall 24 of the core member 20. Each lead screw isrestrained from axial translation by collars such as 1 10, 1 l 1 which,for example, are

secured to the shaft of the lead screw 103 and are disposed adjacenteither side of the screw shaft support 107.

As shown best in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, first and second lead screw controlmeans enable the lead screws associated with each deckle plate 90, 91 tobe operated simultaneously in order that the deckle plate 90 or 91 maybe translated longitudinally with respect to the baffle plates 80, 81,to positions underlying the respective longitudinal marginal edges ofthe web 49 which is wrapped about the drum 40. In the presentembodiment, each lead screw control means comprises first and secondsprockets 121, 122 and 124, 125, respectively, which are secured to theends of lead screws 103, 106 and 104, 105, respectively, adjacent thefirst annular journal 30. First and second sets of idler sprockets 131,132 and 133, 134, respectively, are coaxially secured to respective stubshafts 135, 136 which are mounted on supports 140, 141, which, in turn,are secured to the first joumal 30. First and second pairs of rollerchains 145, 146 and 147, 148, respectively, as disposed about the idlersprockets and the lead screw sprockets. The first chain of each pair 145or 147 is disposed about the first idler sprocket 131 or 133, and thefirst lead screw sprocket 121 or 124 of each set, and the second chainof each pair 146 or 148 is disposed about thesecond idler sprocket 132or 134 and the second lead screw sprocket 122 or ofeach set, Each deckleplate 90, 91 is thus translatable longitudinally with respect to thebaffles 80, BI by rotation of the proper stub shaft 135 or 136.

In operation, the web 49 is fed onto the drum 40, the degree of wrapbeing predetermined. In the present embodiment the first predeterminedarcuate segment of the circumferential wall of the drum 40 about whichthe web is wrapped is about 290 and the second predetermined arcuatesegment between the baffle plates 80,81 is about 270. However, it iscontemplated that the present apparatus may be constructed in accordancewith the concepts disclosed herein with any suitable predeterminedarcuate segments in mind.

The radial distance between the burners and the drum may be variedbetween about 3 to 8 inches, but it has been found that in mostinstances a distance of about 2 inches provides sufficient heat withoutdamaging the web. Another factor to be considered in this regard is theangular velocity of the drum 40 which determines thedwell time of agiven point on the web be neath the burners. Moreover, the vacuum levelmust be adjusted to provide the proper air flow without causing the web49 to be permanently deformed or damaged from contact with thecircumferential surface of the drum. In general, however, adjustment formaximum heat output and vacuum level in each instance provides optimummaintenance of the dimensional stability of the web.

In commercial runs conducted with the present apparatus which has a drumdiameter of about 48 inches, 54 pound felt was run successfully with allburners disposed 2 inches from the drum surface and operating at maximumoutput; about a l-% inch vacuum was maintained when the felt was runover the honeycomb surface but it was found that the level could beraised to about 3 inches when the wire mesh screen was placed over thehoneycomb; the feed rate was about feet per minuteJWhen 24 pound chipboard was processed, both the burners and the vacuum level were set asbefore and the feed rate was about 265 feet per minute.

I claim:

1. Web treating apparatus comprising a. a frame including first andsecond spaced-apart upright support members;

b. an elongated tubular core member closed at one end and fixedlymounted between the support members, the interior of the core memberconstituting a vacuum manifold and a longitudinally extending portion ofthe circumferential wall of the core member being open to permit theentry of air into the manifold; 1 first and second annular journalssecured adjacent either end of the core member and extending radiallyoutwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the core member;

d. a drum of circular cross-section including first and second annularside walls and a perforated circumferential wall, the drum being mountedon the journals for rotation coaxially with respect to the core member,and the drum being adapted to receive a continuous web wrapped about afirst predeter mined arcuate segment of its circumferential wall;predetermined arcuate segment of its circumferen' tial wall;

e. means for rotating the drum including a drive gear and a tubularadapter, the gear and the adapter being disposed concentrically radiallyoutwardly of the portion of the core member between the second journaland the second support member, the adapter having upright flanges ateither end for securing the gear to the adapter and the adapter to thesecond end wall of the drum; I

f. high intensity heat generating means spaced radially outwardly of thecircumferential wall of the drum and disposed above at least asubstantial portion of the first predetermined arcuate segment;

g. a vacuum exhaust conduit secured at one end in air-tight relationshipto the open end of the core member; h. a vacuum blower secured to theother end of the exhaust conduit; and I i. means disposed within thedrum for directing the flow of heated air drawn by the blowersubstantially exclusively and substantially uniformly through theportion of the web wrapped about the first predetermined arcuate segmentof the circumferential wall of the drum.

2. Web treating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the perforatedcircumferential wall of the drum is of honeycomb construction.

3. Web treating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the perforatedcircumferential wall of the drum is covered with a wire mesh screen.

4. Web treating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the highintensity heat generating means comprise a plurality of spaced-apartradiant burners, each burner extending coaxially with the drum abovesubstantially its entire length, and each burner being mounted at eitherend on-brackets secured to the upright support members.

5. Web treating apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each burner isadjuatably mounted to permit a preselection of the radial distancebetween the burners and the circumferential wall of the drum.

6. Web treating apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the heat outputof each burner is adjustable.

7. Web treating apparatus according to claim 1 further including meansfor adjusting the vacuum level within the manifold.

8. Web treating apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the means foradjusting the vacuum level comprises a rotatable damper disposedtransversely within the vacuum exhaust conduit.

9. Web treating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means fordirecting the flow of heated air substantially exclusively through theportion of the web wrapped about the first predetermined arcuate segmentof the drum includes first and second baffle plates disposed within thedrum, each baffle plate being secured to the other circumferentialsurface of the core member on either side of the open portion of thecore member circumferential wall and extending longitudinally alongsubstantially the entire length of the portion of the core memberbetween the journals, and each baffle plate extending radially outwardlywith respect to the core member; first and second baffle plate sealscoextensive with and abutting the radially outermost marginal portionsof the respective baffle plates, each baffle plate seal being adjustablein a radial direction to abut firmly the inside surface of thecircumferential wall of the drum; the portion of the circumferentialwall of the drum defined between the respective seal means andencompassing therebetween the open portion of the core membercircumferential wall constituting a second predetermined arcuatesegment, the second segment being shorter than and being disposedcompletely within the first segment.

10. Web treating apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means fordirecting the flow of heated air substantially exclusively through theportion of the web wrapped about the first predetermined arcuate segmentof the drum further includes first and second deckle plates c lisposedwithin the drum adjacent and parallel to the. respective annular sidewalls, each deckle plate being translatable longitudinally with respectto the baffle plates and including an inner arcuate marginal edgeconforming substantially to the outside circumferential surface fo thecore member, an outer arcuate marginal edge conforming substantially tothe inside circumferential surface of the drum, and opposite transversemarginal edges conforming substantially to the surfaces of the baffleplates which encompass therebetween the open portion of the core memberwall, and first and second deckle plate seals coextensive with andsecured to the outer arcuate marginal edges of the respective deckleplates, the deckle plate seals firmly abutting the inside surface of thecircumferential wall of the drum; the baffle plates and the deckleplates defining therebetween a vacuum chamber which conducts the flow ofheated air substantially exclusively through the portion of the webwrapped about the first predetermined arcuatesegment of thecircumferential surface of the drum.

11. Web treating apparatus according to claim 10 wherein each deckleplate includes first and second internally threaded fittings, eachfitting receiving a complemcntary threaded lead screw, each lead screwbeing rotatably mounted on a screw shaft support which is secured to thecircumferential wall of the core member, and each lead screw beingrestrained from axial translation by collars secured to the lead screwshaft and disposed adjacent either side of the screw shaft support; and,first and second lead screw control means for operating simultaneouslythe lead screws associated with each deckle plate to translate thedeckle plate longitudinally with respect to the baffle plates topositions underlying the respective longitudinal marginal edges of theweb wrapped about the drum.

12. Web treating apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each lead screwcontrol means comprises first and second sprockets secured to the end ofeach lead screw adjacent the first annular journal, first and secondsets of idler sprockets coaxially secured to a rotatable stub shaft,each stub shaft being mounted on a support secured to the first journal,and first and second pairs of roller chains, the first chain of eachpair being disposed about the first idler sprocket and the first leadscrew sprocket of each set, and the second chain of each pair beingdisposed about the second idler sprocket and the second lead screwsprocket of each set; each deckle plate being translatablelongitudinally with respect to the baffles by rotation of the respectivestub shafts.

PO-WSO UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECHON a PatentNo. 3 I 752 ,639 Dated August l4 I 1973 n n 1 Inventofls) George F.Thagard, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentandfithat saidLetters Patent are hereby corrected as shownbelow:

Title Page,. Column 1, Item ,[76] "Pangbarn" should read -:'l:6-B-24-Pangborn-.

n i I Column 2, line 32 "present 'appatatus" should read --presentapparatus. f

Column 2 line 59 "is a partial tranverse" should read --is a partialtransverse--.

Column 3, line 2 "by plate" should read -by a 'plate-.

Column 4, an doo mpas sing should read -and encompassing r I Column 7,line as "is adj uatably" should read -is adjustably-.

Column 8, line ,l9 "surface f0" should read --surface of-.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of January 1974'.

(SEALl Attesta EDWARD M.FLETCE[ER,JR." RENE D. TEGT MEYER n n AttestingOfficer Acting Commissioner of Patents

1. Web treating apparatus comprising a. a frame including first andsecond spaced-apart upright support members; b. an elongated tubularcore member closed at one end and fixedly mounted between the supportmembers, the interior of the core member constituting a vacuum manifoldand a longitudinally extending portion of the circumferential wall ofthe core member being open to permit the entry of air into the manifold;c. first and second annular journals secured adjacent either end of thecore member and extending radially outwardly from the outercircumferential surface of the core member; d. a drum of circularcross-section including first and second annular side walls and aperforated circumferential wall, the drum being mounted on the journalsfor rotation coaxially with respect to the core member, and the drumbeing adapted to receive a continuous web wrapped about a firstpredetermined arcuate segment of its circumferential wall; predeterminedarcuate segment of its circumferential wall; e. means for rotating thedrum including a drive gear and a tubular adapter, the gear and theadapter being disposed concentrically radially outwardly of the portionof the core member between the second journal and the second supportmember, the adapter having upright flanges at either end for securingthe gear to the adapter and the adapter to the second end wall of thedrum; f. high intensity heat generating means spaced radially outwardlyof the circumferential wall of the drum and disposed above at least asubstantial portion of the first predetermined arcuate segment; g. avacuum exhaust conduit secured at one end in air-tight relationship tothe open end of the core member; h. a vacuum blower secured to the otherend of the exhaust conduit; and i. means disposed within the drum fordirecting the flow of heated air drawn by the blower substantiallyexclusively and substantially uniformly through the portion of the webwrapped about the first predetermined arcuate segment of thecircumferential wall of the drum.
 2. Web treating apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the perforated circumferential wall of the drum is ofhoneycomb construction.
 3. Web treating apparatus according to claim 1wherein the perforated circumferential wall of the drum is covered witha wire mesh screen.
 4. Web treating apparatus according to claim 1wherein the high intensity heat generating means comprise a plurality ofspaced-apart radiant burners, each burner extending coaxially with thedrum above substantially its entire length, and each burner beingmounted at either end on brackets secured to the upright supportmembers.
 5. Web treating apparatus according to claim 4 wherein eachburner is adjuatably mounted to permit a preselection of the radialdistance between the burners and the circumferential wall of the drum.6. Web treating apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the heat outputof each burner is adjustable.
 7. Web treating apparatus according toclaim 1 further including means for adjusting the vacuum lEvel withinthe manifold.
 8. Web treating apparatus according to claim 7 wherein themeans for adjusting the vacuum level comprises a rotatable damperdisposed transversely within the vacuum exhaust conduit.
 9. Web treatingapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for directing the flowof heated air substantially exclusively through the portion of the webwrapped about the first predetermined arcuate segment of the drumincludes first and second baffle plates disposed within the drum, eachbaffle plate being secured to the other circumferential surface of thecore member on either side of the open portion of the core membercircumferential wall and extending longitudinally along substantiallythe entire length of the portion of the core member between thejournals, and each baffle plate extending radially outwardly withrespect to the core member; first and second baffle plate sealscoextensive with and abutting the radially outermost marginal portionsof the respective baffle plates, each baffle plate seal being adjustablein a radial direction to abut firmly the inside surface of thecircumferential wall of the drum; the portion of the circumferentialwall of the drum defined between the respective seal means andencompassing therebetween the open portion of the core membercircumferential wall constituting a second predetermined arcuatesegment, the second segment being shorter than and being disposedcompletely within the first segment.
 10. Web treating apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein the means for directing the flow of heatedair substantially exclusively through the portion of the web wrappedabout the first predetermined arcuate segment of the drum furtherincludes first and second deckle plates disposed within the drumadjacent and parallel to the respective annular side walls, each deckleplate being translatable longitudinally with respect to the baffleplates and including an inner arcuate marginal edge conformingsubstantially to the outside circumferential surface fo the core member,an outer arcuate marginal edge conforming substantially to the insidecircumferential surface of the drum, and opposite transverse marginaledges conforming substantially to the surfaces of the baffle plateswhich encompass therebetween the open portion of the core member wall,and first and second deckle plate seals coextensive with and secured tothe outer arcuate marginal edges of the respective deckle plates, thedeckle plate seals firmly abutting the inside surface of thecircumferential wall of the drum; the baffle plates and the deckleplates defining therebetween a vacuum chamber which conducts the flow ofheated air substantially exclusively through the portion of the webwrapped about the first predetermined arcuate segment of thecircumferential surface of the drum.
 11. Web treating apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein each deckle plate includes first andsecond internally threaded fittings, each fitting receiving acomplementary threaded lead screw, each lead screw being rotatablymounted on a screw shaft support which is secured to the circumferentialwall of the core member, and each lead screw being restrained from axialtranslation by collars secured to the lead screw shaft and disposedadjacent either side of the screw shaft support; and, first and secondlead screw control means for operating simultaneously the lead screwsassociated with each deckle plate to translate the deckle platelongitudinally with respect to the baffle plates to positions underlyingthe respective longitudinal marginal edges of the web wrapped about thedrum.
 12. Web treating apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each leadscrew control means comprises first and second sprockets secured to theend of each lead screw adjacent the first annular journal, first andsecond sets of idler sprockets coaxially secured to a rotatable stubshaft, each stub shaft being mounted on a support secured to the firstjournal, and first and second pairs of roller chains, the first Chain ofeach pair being disposed about the first idler sprocket and the firstlead screw sprocket of each set, and the second chain of each pair beingdisposed about the second idler sprocket and the second lead screwsprocket of each set; each deckle plate being translatablelongitudinally with respect to the baffles by rotation of the respectivestub shafts.